ANCIENT CULTURE

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In the artistic realm we find a wide range of Basque artistic expression, the oldest being the rock paintings of various Basque caves (Santimamiñe, Ekain, etc.), as well as the different dolmens that populate the Basque geography.

There were few imprints left by the Romans and Visigoths (Necrópolis de Argiñeta, San Pedro de Abrisketa in Arrigorriaga, San Andrés de Astigarribia, etc.).

From the Romanesque period there are more artistic examples in Alava (Basilica of San Prudencio in Armentia and the Church of Estíbaliz) and Navarre (the Monastery of Leire) than in Vizcaya and Guipozcoa. This is mostly because the Route of Santiago passed through Alava and Navarre, and because the use of wood for building was very common during this period.

From the Gothic period we find a wider range of examples, both in Vizcaya (Catedral of Bilbao, San Severino de Balmaseda) and Guipuzcoa (Church of San Salvador of Getaria), as well as in Alava and Navarra (Cathedral of Pamplona , the Collegiate Church of Roncesvalles).

The Renaissance was firmly implanted in the Basque country, coinciding with a great economic moment. Clear examples are the University of Oñate and the Museum of San Telmo in Donostia-San Sebastian.Most notable from the Baroque period is the series of monasteries that were built in the entire country as a result of the Council of Trent.

The 20th Century is when Basque art shows its most autochthonous features, and when its architecture and sculpture acquire their own identity. Clear examples from this century are the artists Oteiza (Arantzazu), Chillida (El peine del Viento), Ibarrola and Néstor Basterrechea.